Penn State baseball (13-18 overall, 4-6 Big Ten) topped Purdue (21-8 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) 12-7 at Medlar Field in the first of a three-game series.

After Purdue gained a 4-0 lead in the third inning, Penn State stormed back and scored eight runs to make the score 8-4. A strong outing from pitcher Tyler Shingledecker helped the Nittany Lions maintain that lead and win 12-7.

How It Happened

Manager Rob Cooper sent Jaden Henline to the mound as Penn State’s starter. There were not any major variations compared to the usual Penn State lineup.

The first inning went scoreless. Henline struck out one batter and got a double play after allowing two hits. Purdue starter CJ Backer quickly struck out two while the defense took care of the third, making for a quick inning.

Henline had a more difficult ordeal in the second inning. Penn State quickly got two outs on a double play, but trouble brewed. Neither Cole Bartels nor Johnny Piacentino caught what ended up being a Purdue double by right fielder Jake Jarvis, whole stole third base on the next play and nearly stole home. However, Henline eventually got through his second scoreless inning after a 13-pitch battle with third baseman Troy Viola.

Penn State responded by applying pressure in the bottom of the second inning. The Nittany Lions put two runners on base, one of whom was in scoring position, but nobody crossed home plate. It marked the first time Penn State applied serious pressure on the Boilermakers.

Purdue catcher Pablo Lanzarote tripled to start the third inning as Bartels, who was blinded by the sun, didn’t catch the line drive at the wall in left field. Center fielder Curtis Washington Jr. singled to center field, scoring Lanzarote to put his team up 1-0. Washington stole second base, then ran to third as the throw went into the outfield. Washington then advanced to home plate to make things 2-0. Purdue continued to pour it on, as shortstop Evan Albrecht’s single scored two more to make it 4-0. That did it for Henline, and Steven Miller replaced him.

Penn State loaded the bases in the bottom of the third. Infielders Derek Cease and Jay Harry both scored on consecutive passed pitches behind Lanzarote, making it 4-2. An error on Albrecht allowed another run to score, making it 4-3. Designated hitter Josh Spiegel walked with the bases loaded, tying the game 4-4. Then, right fielder Tayven Kelly hit a double to the wall, scoring three more runs to put the Nittany Lions 7-4. Penn State hit another RBI, making it 8-4.

Penn State breezed through the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Penn State scored to go up 9-4 on a double play fielder’s choice. Then, Spiegel crushed a solo homer over the left-field wall to make it 11-4.

Purdue got one back in the fifth inning with an RBI single to cut its deficit to 11-5. The Boilermakers got through the rest of the inning and picked up another run in the sixth inning after a play at the plate. Purdue wasn’t done yet, though. Another runner advanced to home after a failed pickoff attempt to go down just 11-7.

Fast-forward to the bottom of the eighth inning, and Penn State scored another run to regain a stronger lead, this time 12-7, on a Piacentino sacrifice fly that sent Harry home. The game was going steady for the Nittany Lions as Tyler Shingledecker dealt from the mound, setting up a win by the same score.

Takeaways

• Offense. Offense. Offense. A big third inning decided the game, with 12 runs scored between both teams. More importantly, Penn State scored eight runs — the team’s most in a single inning so far this season.
• Errors were a problem for Penn State. The Nittany Lions made three errors, which is a big reason why Purdue scored so many runs and Henline posted an ERA north of 13.
• Tyler Shingledecker was outstanding in the victory. He allowed three hits, earned three strikeouts, and posted a 0.00 ERA in his performance.

What’s Next?

Penn State plays Purdue on Friday, April 15, for the second of three games. First pitch from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is set for 6 p.m.